Accrington went down to a run rate defeat at the hands of defending champions and current league leaders Haslingden at Thorneyholme Road in a match that didn't start until 14.45. Haslingden made 155-4 after being asked to bat. Accrington professional Rod Tucker struck the first blow sending back opener Paul Blackledge for 1 with the score on 5. Tucker then had to withdraw from the attack with an injured shoulder Mike Ingham put on 88 for the 2nd wicket with Bryan Knowles before falling to Trevor Hatch for 28. Knowles' fine innings of 77 included six fours and a six from 103 balls when he was run out in the 32nd over. Professional Geoff Lawson fell to Vernon Woods for 24 with Bob Collins (5 not out) and Stuart Taylor (6 not out) still at the crease when the innings closed on 155-4 after 35 overs. Accrington struggled to make any headway against Lawson (2-30 from 16.5 overs) and Alan Barnes with 21 coming off the first 10 overs and only 44 from the first 20 for the loss of Neil Barnes (3) at 9. Nick Marsh faced 88 balls in making 32 with Tucker taking 74 balls to make an unbeaten 25. Trevor Hatch upped the tempo in making an unbeaten 17 from 15 balls but when rain ended Accrington's reply 7 balls early, the home side had only made 86-2. Accrington dropped one place in the table to eighth. Scorecard